Example DayByDay screen design
DayByDay in action (mock-up)
Background
Whilst developing Mindings, we were approached by a major pharmaceutical company about developing a novel solution for tracking the well-being of diabetic patients using their insulin product.
Situation
The pharmaceutical company faced a common challenge: gathering accurate, timely wellness data from diabetic patients. Traditional hand-written diaries were unreliable, as patients often forgot to make entries, did so at irregular times, or filled in multiple days retrospectively. We understood that for many diabetics, constantly tracking their condition could be an upsetting reminder of their illness.
Our company had developed Mindings, a digital picture frame that allowed friends and family to share photos and messages. The pharma company saw potential in using this platform for a more engaging, less clinical approach to data collection.
My Role
I was Product Lead and worked on the development with Mindings' Co-Founder and Technical Director Ian Pleasance.
Facilitated by the client, I met with medical experts, researchers, and people living with diabetes. These discussions were crucial in understanding the nuances of diabetes management and the emotional challenges patients face.
Action
1. Data Collection Strategy: We decided to base our well-being statements on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. This approach would provide valuable data, based on an existing and recognised framework, while keeping the daily interaction brief and manageable.
2. User Experience Design: We crafted DayByDay to self-launch at the same time each morning, integrating seamlessly with the user's routine. The aim was to make the data collection feel like a natural part of using Mindings, rather than a separate medical task.
3. Prototype Development: We created created wireframes and mock-ups, which we used to gather feedback from potential users and stakeholders.
4. Success Metrics: We established clear metrics for measuring the project's success, including user engagement data and qualitative feedback on the user experience.
Flowchart showing DayByDay integration with Mindings.
Example DayByDay screen.
DayByDay in action (mock up)
Results & Learnings
While the project didn't progress to full development and deployment, our research and planning phase yielded valuable insights. We received positive feedback on our approach, particularly:
• The integration with Mindings was seen as innovative, leveraging a social, home-friendly platform rather than introducing another clinical device.
• Stakeholders appreciated our focus on user experience and emotional well-being, recognising that this could lead to higher compliance rates.
• The simplified data collection method, based on established well-being scales, was viewed as a strong balance between gathering meaningful data and minimising user burden.
• Medical experts were particularly interested in the potential for gathering more consistent, real-time data compared to traditional methods.
While DayByDay didn't make it to market, the project reinforced my belief in the power of user-centric design in healthcare. It showed that by considering the emotional and practical needs of patients, we can create tools that not only gather crucial data but also support overall well-being. The lessons learned from this project continue to inform my approach to product management in the healthtech space.
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